PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 17, 2003--Systemax, Inc. (NYSE: SYX - News), a leading manufacturer and distributor of PCs and related computer products for small and medium-sized businesses, was recently ranked as one of the top 30 companies for employee training programs in the U.S., according to Training Magazine.

The recently released Training Magazine 2003 Annual Top 100 Company Training Programs in the country placed Systemax 27th overall, one of the highest rankings for a technology company this year.

Systemax was acknowledged for its innovative training programs and was cited in particular for its "Systemax Days," intensive two-day training programs for employees on new company offerings. In addition to learning about new products and future projects, employees participate in fun competitions on Systemax Days. As a challenge, employees must put back together a disassembled Systemax computer, and the fastest time wins a brand new laptop for their personal use.

"The driving force of our company success has been attracting and retaining top talent and Systemax is honored to be recognized for our dedication to their development," says Richard Leeds, President and CEO for Systemax. "Our employees are our best resource; Systemax is committed to helping them grow, both professionally and personally."

Faith Legendre, Training Director for Systemax, adds, "Our training programs go beyond standard corporate classroom seminars. We've created an in-house "employee university" through our customized on-demand and state-of-the-art learning programs that are both effective and enjoyable. Additionally, our approach to teaching values and utilizes employee feedback, and a good part of our current training has been designed using specific suggestions and recommendations from Systemax employees."

Training Magazine selected the top 100 out of over 150,000 applications and a rigorous nomination, application and review process. The rankings are then determined through an overall evaluation of various qualitative and quantitative data, such as financial investment in employee development, quality of development programs provided to employees and how programs are linked to company business objectives.

Additional features of the Systemax Training programs include:

• Three week new hire training program
• Ongoing e-learning courses employees may take at their leisure
• One-on-one mentoring and coaching programs
• Systemax training resources available on company wide intranet

The Top 100 ranking appears in the Training Magazine March 2003 issue and can also be found online at www.trainingmag.com.

About Systemax

Systemax (www.systemax.com) has developed an integrated system of branded e-commerce web sites, direct mail catalogs, and relationship marketing to sell PCs, related computer products and industrial products to businesses in North America and Europe. With annual sales of more than $1.5 billion, Systemax is a Fortune 1000 company. Product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Forward-looking statement: This press release contains forward-looking statements about the Company's performance. These statements are based on management's estimates, assumptions and projections and are not guarantees of future performance. The Company assumes no obligation to update these statements. Actual results may differ materially from results expressed or implied in these statements as the result of risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to: (a) unanticipated variations in sales volume, (b) economic conditions and exchange rates, (c) actions by competitors, (d) the continuation of key vendor relationships, (e) the ability to maintain satisfactory loan agreements with lenders, (f) risks associated with the delivery of merchandise to customers utilizing common carriers, (g) the operation of the Company's management information systems, and (h) unanticipated legal and administrative proceedings. Please refer to the Forward Looking Statements section contained in Item 7 of the Company's Form 10-K for a more detailed explanation of the inherent limitations in such forward-looking statements.

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Contact:

     Systemax
     Sean Aryai, 516/608-3070
     SAryai@systemax.com
     or
     Publicis Dialog
     Tom Nolan, 212/279-6935
     tom.nolan@publicis-usa.com